It wasn't even two weeks ago that Jurgen Klopp had some interesting things to say about Daniel Sturridge's injury record. Some suggested it was lost in translation but it seemed fairly clear that when he said 'you have to learn to understand what is pain and what is serious pain' in relation to Sturridge, it was a bit of a dig. It must be said that Klopp's sentiments may be completely unrelated but, in case you hadn't guessed, Sturridge is injured again.
Sturridge's injury record is no longer even a bad joke. Where once there was a snort of derision and a 'not again' when another injury crops up, it's now just pity and even a slight degree at anger about what is being lost.
That's not to say it's surprising of course. Liverpool fans have become all too used to this kind of news and now BBC are reporting that, after returning to the team in recent weeks, Sturridge is set to miss the rest of December with a hamstring strain.
Sturridge returned to the team after knee and foot problems last week and he put in a star showing against Southampton in the Capital One Cup. He emerged from the bench against Newcastle at the weekend as Klopp looked to turn the game in Liverpool's favour. It wouldn't be going too far to suggest that Sturridge was lacklustre at best on Sunday and now it has emerged that his day got even worse in picking up the hamstring strain that looks set to put him out until the new year.
With Sturridge one of the highest earners at Anfield, the time is surely edging closer when the club will be begin looking at cutting ties with a player whose value has taken a serious hit over the past couple of years.
